Uncle Tom’s Gabbin’

HAWAII’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME, the California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, will host an all-you-can-eat buffet and concert with Amy Hanaiali’i Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ohana Maile Room. More info at thecal.com or call 800-634-6505 ... Fun Fact: Amy has released 10 albums. Her second album, Hawaiian Tradition, ranked on the World Billboard charts, a first for an album written solely in the Hawaiian language ...

Spotted! Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and BF Justin Mikita. They took pleasure in a Maui vacation where they paddleboarded and snorkeled ... while Million Dollar Baby actress Hilary Swank looked like a million bucks in her black bikini. She and her main squeeze John Campisi lounged poolside on Kauai last week ...

Here’s a scoop and a sneak peek: CBS rep Daniela Ruah tweeted about an upcoming NCIS: Los Angeles tiein with Hawaii Five-0 involving Kensi Blye: “Aloha, Read my lips closely ... Kensi will make her way to Hawaii Five-0 this season! Stay tuned ... if they need me in Hawaii, I will make the effort and fly over there for the sake of solving crime” ... Don’t miss a special advance screening of the season two premiere of Hawaii Five-0 at Sunset on the Beach Saturday, Sept. 10. CBS says cast members Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park and newcomers Terry O’Quinn and Tom Sizemore will be there. The rest of the nation will not get to see the episode until the network premiere Sept. 19 ...

Hilary Swank and John Campisi

And speaking of Five-0, star O’Loughlin must be feeling pretty confident about the show. He recently purchased a $3 million-plus ocean-view Diamond Head house, designed by noted architect Vladimir Ossipoff ...

Tickets to the second annual Miss Vamp Hawaii 2011, happening Saturday, Oct. 15, are on sale now at the Hawaii Theatre box office and hawaiitheatre.com. They’re sponsoring a blood drive Oct. 6, also at Hawaii Theatre. Get all the info from .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ...

This September, Aloha Festival 2011 enters its 65th year as one of Hawaii’s most highly regarded cultural celebrations. Aloha Festivals is a monthlong event that shares the history and traditions of Hawaii and the unique spirit of aloha with kamaaina and malihini alike. “Island music is core to our culture, our people and our aloha spirit,” says Paul Tomonari, co-chair of the Aloha Festivals board of directors. “We are excited to celebrate mele ‘ailana as our theme this year.” More info about Aloha Festivals and its events can be found at alohafestivals.com or by calling 808-483-0730 ...

This week in 1961: It’s “The 26th Show Of Stars” at the Civic Auditorium featuring Bobby Vee, Ray Peterson, Johnny Crawford and The Ventures. Ticket prices: $2.20 reserved, $1.45 general admission, $1.25 for teens and 90 cents for kids under 12 ... and the No. 1 record in Hawaii is Treasure by Johnny Crawford ...